Hungarian news in English, your guide to the politics of Hungary.

Trump: Orban did a good job

Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, got under way on Monday afternoon local time. Trump praised the efforts of Orban to preserve Hungary’s security.

Trump greeted Orban at one of the entrances of the White House before the two leaders went inside for their talks, according to images broadcast on Hungarian public news channel M1 and CNN. The meeting was expected to last about an hour.

The White House said in a statement last week that the meeting would coincide with Hungary’s 20th anniversary as a NATO member. It said the two leaders would discuss ways to deepen cooperation on a range of issues, including trade, energy and cyber security, it added.

Trump praised the efforts of Orban to preserve Hungary’s security. “People have a lot of respect for this prime minister,” Trump said. The president called Hungary a “very good member of NATO”. Trump also praised Orban’s handling of illegal migration.

“You look at some of the problems that they have in Europe that are tremendous because they have done it a different way than the prime minister,”

Orban is “probably like me – a little bit controversial, but that’s okay,” the president said. “You’ve done a good job and you kept your country safe.” “I know he’s a tough man, but he’s a respected man, and he’s done the right thing, according to many people, on immigration,” Trump added.

“I would like to express that we are proud to stand together with the United States on fighting against illegal migration, on terrorism and to protect and help the Christian communities around the world,” Orban told reporters.

Trump replied: “You have been great with respect to Christian communities. You have really put a block up, and we appreciate that very much.”